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Le Bruit Des Autres (2013)

by Amy Grace Loyd(Favorite Author)

2.79 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

2234075564 (ISBN13: 9782234075566)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Stock

review 1: I picked this book because it was highly praised by one of my favorite authors, Jess Walter. In the middle of my reading it, I noticed that it was generally not well-liked by many, if not most, of the readers on Goodreads. In finishing it, I can see how some readers will not find this book to be their cup of tea. It is told in the first person narrative of a woman who lost her deeply-loved husband to cancer when she was in her thirties. The narrative, subsequently, is immersed in grief and self-denial. I, myself, found it to be quite powerful, insightful, and deeply moving. People complained that the novel was too ridden with grief and that the main character makes stupid and silly choices. I don't agree at all. She made choices that were very much in line with who... more she was and what she has experienced. Yes, she is a flawed character, as was the main character in Claire Messud's wonderful The Woman Upstairs. But she is also quite compelling, IMHO. Some people might be put off by the seediness throughout the novel. The writing reminded me of A. M. Homes or Jennifer Egan in its depiction of the basest of human emotions and actions. If S & M or gay sex put you off, then this novel is not for you. If you do want a deeply-felt account of a young woman dealing with profound grief, then I highly recommend it.
review 2: I'm updating my read books for 2013 lists just in time for the New Year - and to figure out what my favorite book(s) were of the year. By adding so many I won't have time to write thoughtful reviews for all of them - except for the ones I seem to be "out of sync" with the majority view! The Affairs of Others is one I liked more than the bulk of the Goodreads reviewers. While some found it depressing - I found it thoughtful and introspective. While it was clearly written to be provocative and sexy (really?), I thought the sex scenes served as a plot device to shake the main character out of her solitary reverie(s). I did like the ferry captain's story arc more than many of the other renters' stories - the author was uncharacteristically tender to him. This novel stood apart in mood, honesty, tempo and writing from most things I read this year - making it memorable. less

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